Mossley were held to a goalless draw by neighbours Glossop North End on Monday afternoon in front of the biggest Seel Park crowd for over 14 years
The draw finally ended a losing streak which had lasted since the beginning of November but yet again it was a game the Lilywhites should have won and yet again and yet again as Glossop keeper Harry Allen became the latest of several opposition custodians to have ’man of the match’ performances against Mossley in recent weeks.
At a point beyond frustration Mossley pushed and pushed for the elusive goal that would surely have won the match but it failed to arrive.
The first half failed to lift the big crowd and had few thrills as Glossop defended doggedly and attempted to catch the home side on the break while Mossley moved the ball around well until they inevitably floundered in the final third.
Composure to score a goal comes with confidence and that was evidently lacking for the most part as the Lilywhites attacked more in desperation and hunger than in a controlled and clinical fashion.
Highlights of a largely forgettable half saw a Jordan Butterworth overhead effort fly wide and a Dec Evans effort on goal was headed over the bar by Antony Brown. Brown had a shot saved by Allen and also had a penalty appeal ignored on the stroke of half time.
Glossop managed only one shot in the entire half which saw ex Mossley man Keaton Mulvey fire high and wide.
Mossley attacked the park end with gusto after the break and chances started to arrive.
Brown broke clear from Keogh’s pass on the right but fired wide from the angle, Pratt and Fawns were both denied by Allen in quick succession before Ben Richardson’s clever pass found Fawns who’s effort was blocked by the keeper’s legs and Keogh’s follow up was blocked by a sea of defenders and so it continued.
Connor Morris replaced Brown and he was soon in the thick of the action as the former Bradford City youngster set up Fawns but again Allen was up to the task. Evans’ good effort from a Fawns corner was brilliantly saved by Allen and a big goalmouth scramble saw legs flailing but the ball just came back away from goal yet again and Matthews header was saved by the keeper and Morris fired just wide as Mossley threw the proverbial kitchen sink at Glossop in the closing minutes but it wasn’t to be.
In conclusion. After such a barren run the point is a welcome blessing but Mossley will rue the missed chances and will be even more determined to find the net in the new years day fixture at Ramsbottom United.
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The game in question were:-
Northern Premier League v FC United of Manchester 27th Novermber 2007. Attendance: 889
Mossley’s record Seel Park attendance for a Northern Premier League game is 2,255 v Macclesfield Town on 4th September 1972. It was Mossley’s first ever home game under floodlights.
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